Evaporating apparatus



Feb. 3, 1931.

A. w. B'AUMANN EVAPORATING APPARATUS Filed Dec; 27, 1927 flezzz df:

:14) 161% 521mm M3 pipes (not shown),

employed Patented Feb; 3,

- mom) w. shown, or cmcaeo, rumors nvnronarme' arrnna'rus Application fil ed December 27, 1927. Serial' No. 242,549.

This invention relates to evaporating ape paratus of the vacuum pan type for the evaporation and condensatlon of milk or other liquids and has for an object to provide means for distributing the heating fluid uniforml to increase the efiiciency of the process. X further object is to provide a vacuum an of improved construction adapted to ofciently condense the evaporated fluid or vapor. It consists in certain features and elements of construction herein shown and described and as indicated by the claims.

In the-drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical axial section through the apparatus embodying my improved features.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken as indicated at line 2-2, on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken as in dicated at line 3-3 on Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through my improved fitting for distributing the heating fluid uniformly through the coils.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawing is similar in construction and principle of operation tothat shown and described in my co-pending application, Serial Number 83,493, filed January 25, 1926, and comprises an upright cylindrical tank, 1, in the lower end of which is mounted the heating element comprising a plurality of units, each consisting of annular inside .and outside steam coils, 2 and 3, respectively the tank. The coils of each unit are preferably mounted concentrically in the same plane and are connected at diametrically opposite points by a common inlet manifold, 4, and outlet manifold, 5. These manifolds have their coupling ends projecting through the wall of tank, 1, for connection to suitable for completing the heating circuit. A pipe, above the coils, and is Briefly the process of evaporation herein is as follows:' The tank is con-' stantly maintained under partial vacuum to permit evaporation of the liquid without heating it to its normal boiling point, and due 'a main inlet orifice,

for heating the liquid in 4 6, extends into said tank ositioned for injecting the milk or'other liquid tangentially therein.

to this reduced pressure and the positioning of the coils adjacent the wall of the tank, the liquid around the coils boils up and is actually elevated to a certain height from which it is returned by gravity toward the cooler-portion of the tank, which is the central part, as illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1. Of course a certain amount of the liquid boiled up in this manner evaporates, and continues to rise in the form; of vapor, .while the remaining liquid gradually becomes thicker. g

In order to obtain the utmost efliciency in theuseoftwoannular,concentricallyarranged coils, the steam should be so distributed as to maintain the inner and outer coils at substantially the same temperature, which can only result from properly distributin the steam into said coils. For this purpose provide an improved fitting or inlet manifold, 4, (as shown in Figure 4) which comprises 8, extending axially through the fitting and continuing into a pair of oppositely extending passageways, 9, which connect to the opposite portions inner coil, 2. A second pair of branch passageways, 10, open off from said orifice, 8, adjacent its mouth, 8*, for connection to the respective portions of the outer coil, 3. Heretofore, in manifolds provided for similar pur- 1 poses, the steam tendedto travel rapidly in a straight path, branching into opposite directions mainly at the inner coil, with only partial supply spreading into the passageways for the outer-coil. This unequal distribution of the steam resulted in unequal temperatures of the respective coils and consequent ineiiiciency. This objection is overcome by providing a nozzle, 11, in the fitting, 4, having a central passageway, 12, aligned concentric with the orifice, 8; the forward end of said nozzle projecting in a di rection against the steam travel, slightlybe- 'yond'the passageway, As indicated diagrammatically by arrows in Figure 4, the effective steam pressure is divided so that a part of the steam continues fora distance in a straight path through the nozzle opening, 12, and is deflected into the oppositely extending passageways, 9, into the removably mounted A 10, for the outer coil. 5

tive steam pressure used. This nozzle is threaded into a seat, 13, in said fittin permitting quick removal and interc angeability with other nozzles. Said seat portion and the outer contour of the nozzle are blended into a gradual curve to assist in direnting the steam smoothly into the passageways, 10, for the outer coil, 3. A deflector rib, 14, is formed integral with and maths inner side of the fitting at the closed end of the passage or orifice, 8, in alignment therewith and with the opening, 12, in the nozzle, so as to direct the steam into opposite directions into the respective passageways, 9, into the inner coil, 2. I

@ondensinc apparatus is provided in upper part 0.: the tanlr, 1, comprising an upwardly open condensing receptacle, 18, supported by brackets, 19, from the wall of the tank and by rods, 20, from the dome, 2i. Said receptacle is preferably centrally located in spaced relation to the tank to afford an annular passageway, 22, for the risin vapor.

The receptacle comprises a pair or spaced metal plates, 23, with a thickness of insulating material, 2t, interposed therebetween as usual. The bottom oi the receptacle opens into a conduit, 25, formed of two spaced plates, '26, between which is a sheet of in sulating material, 27 said conduit extends toward one side and through the wall of the tank, and is connected to an exhaust pump (not shown) which creates a vacuum in the.

tank and tends to such the vapor down through the condenser opening.

A. circular spray ring 31 is mounted inside the receptacle, l8, and is connected at diametrically opposite sides to a manifold, 32, spaced above said ring. Said manifold is connected at its center to a pipe, 33, for supplying a continuous \current of cold water to the ring for spraying outwardly through the perforations, 3a, to project a substantially continuous sheet of spray across the transverse area of the condenser receptacle. The perforations-in the ring are so arranged as to confine the spray totally within the receptacle. A circular deflector plate, 35, is secured to the inside of the receptacle at a point below its upper edge, substantially in the plane of the ring, 31, and defining the V-shaped trough, 36, opening upwardly. Said deflector plate is curved upwardly and toward the center, terminating in a circular opening, 37, approximately the diameter of the spray ring. The curvature of the deflecare spaced about the lower part of t .center of dome, 21, respectively,

the I 7 ing a tank, a heatin unit supported tor is such as to direct the spray jets downwardly and since the deflector is uninsulated its outer surface tends to act as a surface condenser for the vapor which comes into contact with it. A series of openin s, 38,

e deflector plate, leading from thetrough, 36, to permit the condensed liquid in said trough to drip into the receptacle to be carried off with the spray water through the conduit, 25.. Heretofore, when the receptacles were constructed so as to permit a certain amount of splash over the edges, this materially reduced the evaporating efliciency of the apparatus.

The tank is provided with the usual manholes, and 41, at the side of the tank and each having transparent windows, 42, for observation of the process. It is of course clear that the vapor drawn into'the condenser receptacle by suction, becomes readily condensed by the chilling sprays and is drawn ed with the spray discharge, as is also the liquid which is condensed on" the deflector, 35, and which drains through the holes, 38, as described.

I ll claim l. in an evaporatingapparatus compristherein,

lnc'luding a plurality of tubular heating members, a fitting interconnecting said members to provide a common inlet for the heating fluid and directing means in the fittin positioned in the path of said fluid adapted to distribute the tluid in predetermined proportions said tubular members without substantially reducing the velocity of flow.

In an evaporating apparatus comprising a tank, a heating unit supported therein, including continuous inner and outer hollow heating members,;a fitting interconnecting said members to provide a common inlet opening wherebythe heating fluid may be injected into said members, said fitting being designed to distribute substantially balanced amounts or the heating fluid in opposite directions in each of said members, without reducing the velocity of flow.

3. in an evaporating apparatus comprising a tank, a heating unit supported therein including continuous inner and outer hollow heating members, a fitting interconnecting said members, providing a common opening for the injection of the heating fluid, said fitting including means positioned opposite said opening'for distributing the heating fluid in proper proportions between said members, and deflector means in said fitting for directing said heating fluid'in o posits directions in each of the hollow members.

4. In the structure as defined in claim 1, said means including a nozzle removably mounted in said fitting. v 5. in an evaporating apparatus comprising a tank, a heating unit supported therein, including a pair of continuous inner and outer heating tubes, 'a fitting interconnecting said tubes providing a common inlet for the ln'ection of the heating fluid, a nozzle mounte in the fitting having an opening concentric with and in a plane parallel to that of the inlet orifice of the fitting, the size of the opening in the nozzle being determined in view of the pressure of the heating fluid, whereby said nozzle separates the heating fluid into ,two substantially balanced quantities to be directed into the respective tubes.

6. In the structure'as defined in claim 5, the fitting connecting said tubes comprising two pairs of oppositely disposed extensions, coextensive with the oppositely extending portions of the respective tubes, and deflector means arranged in said fitting concentric with the inlet opening Whereb to direct the fluid in opposite directions t rough the extensions which connect the opposite portions of each of the tubes.

ARNOLD W. BAUMANN. 

